Advancing research on discrimination: The contextual meanings and effects of the word isability (All Academy Theme Programs)
Description
The purpose of this panel symposium is to engage expert panelists and audience members in an interactive discussion on how context influences the usage, meaning, and implications of the term “disability” and the related expression “people with disabilities.” Social models of disability emphasize that the classification of “disability” is context-dependent, shaped by social, cultural, and institutional factors. This symposium focuses in particular on two key contextual dimensions: national context and type of disability. Despite the diversity of conditions commonly categorized as disabilities, management literature often assumes a shared understanding of what constitutes a disability, without explicitly defining it. Such assumptions risk oversimplifying a complex and evolving concept, especially in light of ongoing legal, policy, and societal developments that shape the interpretation of disability across countries. As a result, existing management research on people with disabilities reflects a fragmented body of evidence, drawing on studies of individuals with diverse conditions operating within varied national contexts. This patchwork of findings increases the risk of overgeneralization and limits the ability to draw coherent conclusions. The symposium also examines how the use and interpretation of the term “disability” affects organizations, influences the experiences and treatment of individuals within these settings, and shapes both scholarly research and managerial practices. Finally, the symposium highlights key implications for future research and practice, emphasizing the need for greater conceptual clarity and sensitivity to contextual variation when studying disability in organizational settings.
Copyright Date
January 2014
Publication Date
1-1-2014
DOI
10.5465/ambpp.2014.10637symposium
Keywords
Disability, Discrimination
Conference
Academy of Management Annual Meeting, 1-5 August, 2014, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
